Neil M. Szigethy is a veteran automotive writer and former SOA employee who, over the years, has driven vehicles ranging from a 1976 Elcar 2000 Wagonette electric car to a prototype GM® fuel-cell vehicle. His current household fleet includes two Legacy Sedans, an Outback, and, in his dreams, a WRX STI.

Creating the most fuel-efficient and lowest-emissions All-Wheel Drive hybrid crossover vehicle in America was no easy task.1 Here’s the first Subaru gasoline-electric vehicle, and the world’s first boxer-engine hybrid.

While most people think only mpg when they hear the word hybrid, the XV Crosstrek Hybrid is designed to deliver more than just fuel efficiency. The Subaru engineers were intent on minimizing typical hybrid-vehicle compromises.

So the XV Crosstrek Hybrid is fun to drive (not boring!), hasn’t gained much weight (compared to some pretty porky hybrids), and offers the same occupant space plus nearly the same cargo volume as non-hybrid XV Crosstrek models. It’s a fully capable crossover vehicle that can go off-road and clear 8.7 inches of bumps, rocks, and drifted sand and snow – still ready for your next adventure!

Parallel versus Series Hybrids

First, some basics. A hybrid is a vehicle with both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. From a technical point of view, hybrids can be classified as either parallel or series.

Most hybrids available today are parallel hybrids, where the gasoline engine and the electric motor work in parallel with each other – separately or together. For instance, the Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid can be powered by its gasoline engine alone, its electric motor alone, or by both at the same time.

In a series hybrid, the gasoline engine charges the batteries for the electric motor, and the electric motor is the only propulsion device for the wheels.

Mild versus Full Hybrids

Another classification for hybrids has to do with how far and how fast they can travel using only the electric motor – in EV (electric vehicle) Mode. By this definition, the XV Crosstrek Hybrid is a mild hybrid because its EV Mode takes the vehicle up to about 25 mph. Vehicles capable of a greater range and higher speeds in EV Mode are called Full Hybrids.

Engine and Motor – Three Combinations of Power

In the XV Crosstrek Hybrid, a 2.0-liter SUBARU BOXER engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor share driving duties, or go it alone, depending on the situation. And because it’s a Subaru, power from either source is always going to all four wheels via Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

Engine Mode: When the gasoline engine is cold or driven at moderate or highway speeds, the XV Crosstrek Hybrid operates in Engine Mode. The gasoline engine is doing all the work, sending power to the wheels.

EV Mode: At very low speeds, such as creeping along in slow traffic or easing away from a traffic light, the XV Crosstrek can operate in EV Mode, with the electric motor doing all the work. When the gasoline engine is shut off, the XV Crosstrek is not using any gas or producing tailpipe emissions. While there is no switch to engage EV Mode, a sensitive foot on the throttle will maximize its use and your fuel economy.

A number of factors determine whether the vehicle switches to EV Mode. These include how aggressively the driver pushes the accelerator, how hard the climate control system is working, and/or how fully charged the high-voltage battery is.

Motor Assist: Sometimes, of course, you need power to accelerate. In these cases, the XV Crosstrek can engage Motor Assist, with both the gasoline engine and the electric motor working together to accelerate more assertively than either device could do on its own.

* Manufacturer's suggested retail price does not include destination and delivery
charges, tax, title and registration fees. Destination and delivery includes handling
and inland freight fees and may vary in some states. Prices, specifications, options,
features and models subject to change without notice.

** EPA-estimated fuel economy. Actual mileage may vary.

Subaru has the utmost respect for the environment and is a proud partner of Leave
No Trace. Care was taken not to harm the environment when taking this photo.

iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc.; Brembo is a registered trademark of Freni Brembo S.p.A.; Alcantara is a registered trademark of Alcantara S.p.A and Alcantara is produced by Toray Group.; TORSEN is a registered trademark of JTEKT Corporation.; BBS is a registered trademark of BBS Kraftfahrzeugtechnik AG.; Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.; HomeLink is a registered trademark of Prince Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson Controls.; Aha and Harman Kardon are a registered trademarks of Harman International Industries, Inc.; Android is a trademark of Google Inc.; HD Radio is a registered trademark of iBiquity Digital Corporation.; Pandora is a registered trademark of Pandora Media, Inc.; SiriusXM and SiriusXM NavTraffic are registered trademarks of SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Inc.; iHeart is a registered trademark of Clear Channel.

PLEASE REVIEW THESE IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES.
Subaru of America, Inc. reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice
or obligation to the information contained on this Internet site, prices, incentive programs,
specifications, equipment, colors, materials, product illustrations and to change or
discontinue models. All prices are based upon Manufacturer's Suggested Retail
Prices (""MSRP"") in U.S. dollars (unless otherwise indicated) and exclude taxes,
title fees, licensing, options and destination charges unless specifically included.
Retailers are independent businesses and are free to set their own retail prices.
All information contained at this Internet site is intended for the USA market only.